In late December, just as he was about to celebrate Christmas, Nick Falloon was presented with about a dozen allegations of misbehaviour, poor business decisions and a sexist culture within the Melbourne office of Domain Holdings Australia, the real estate advertising business that had turned around the fortunes of its parent, Fairfax Media.

Falloon was chairman of both companies, and the man ultimately responsible for the conduct within them. Concerned that chief executive Antony Catalano's behaviour might not meet the standard required of a chief executive, Falloon sought advice from Domain's human resources director and lawyers, and cut short a post-Christmas holiday in Queenstown, New Zealand.